LUKEVILLE, AZ - In response to the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry, Governor Katie Hobbs has announced her plans to travel to the border on Saturday. This decision comes as local businesses in the area are seeking clarification on the next steps regarding the closure.

The closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry was announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on December 4. The purpose of this closure is to redirect CBP personnel to assist with border security by aiding the U.S. Border Patrol in taking migrants into custody.

The closure of this border point has had a significant impact on the community, as it is the main route for Arizonans to travel to Rocky Point, a popular tourist destination in Mexico. Local business owners have reported a decline in business, with the area resembling a ghost town.

Governor Hobbs, speaking to reporters at an event on Friday, expressed her intention to visit the border on Saturday to gather more information about the situation in Lukeville. She plans to explore options involving the deployment of the National Guard but mentioned that a federal order for their assistance would carry more weight.

During the event, Governor Hobbs also announced Operation SECURE (Safety, Enforcement, Coordination, & Uniform Response), an initiative aimed at mobilizing additional state resources to enhance border security. The operation will establish a new Border Security Office within the Department of Homeland Security, funded with $2 million from ARPA.

The Border Security Office will serve as a central hub for coordinating border security operations and ensuring efficient collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies. Furthermore, if the Biden Administration does not promptly reopen the port of entry, Operation SECURE will allocate up to $5 million for the National Guard to support the Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies along the southern border, focusing on fentanyl interdiction efforts.

In her efforts to address the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry, Governor Hobbs has sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging the utilization of more than 200 National Guard members from the Tucson Sector to assist in reopening the border.

The need for increased border security measures is evident from the recent data provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Between November 24 and December 1, over 17,000 migrants entered the U.S. in the Tucson Sector. This number is significantly higher than the 23,411 migrants who entered throughout the entire month of November in 2022.

As Governor Hobbs prepares to visit the border, local businesses and residents are hopeful that her presence will shed light on the future of the Lukeville Port of Entry and provide clarity on the next steps moving forward. The closure of this vital border point has had a profound impact on the community, and its reopening is eagerly awaited by all those affected.